PLANS to introduce up-to-the-minute timetable information at bus stops along the Clyde coast have been dealt a blow after a funding bid was knocked back.

Electronic signs providing 'real time passenger information' are in place elsewhere in North Ayrshire and in towns and cities across Scotland.

But plans to install the facilities, which keep passengers updated with any delays to bus services in the area, in the North Coast and Garnock Valley area are on hold after transport bosses rejected an application from North Ayrshire Council for funding.

Nancy McQueen, who helps to run the Fairlie Community Garden, raised the issue at a meeting of the council's North Coast Locality group.

In January we reported that that North Ayrshire Council had submitted a funding bid to Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) for the installation of real time passenger information (RTPI) displays at bus stops in the North Coast and the Garnock Valley after identifying a gap in provision.

The local authority has now revealed that its bid for funding from SPT was unsuccessful - but has insisted it's exploring other avenues of financial support.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The funding bid submitted to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) for the delivery of Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) signs within the Garnock Valley and North Coast was unsuccessful.

“We are currently exploring alternative funding opportunities with SPT and Transport Scotland.”

Claire Fitzsimmons from North Ayrshire Council told the locality meeting that she and her colleagues were working with SPT to resolve the issue across Ayrshire and the Clyde coast.